Garden hose reel

ABSTRACT

A hose reel includes various improvements including features to enable improved stacking of hose reels, an improved locking mechanism to allow the hose reel to be selectively locked in open and/or closed positions, an improved handle to facilitate winding of the hose on the hose reel and prevent tangling, and an improved water supply.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/608,314, which was filed on Sep. 9, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved garden hose reel that will bedescribed with reference to the drawings that are attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable hose carts for convenient handling and storage of garden hoseshave been commercially available for many years. The earlier versionsembodied a metal tubular frame structure movably supported on a pair ofwheels rotatable on an axle mounted on the frame structure and a hosereel rotatably mounted on the frame structure. Examples of portable hosereels of the metal tubular frame type are disclosed in the followingU.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,488,425, 2,512,756, 2,590,963, and 4,137,939.

In recent years, frames and components made of molded plastic have beenutilized to replace the metal frames and components of the earlierportable hose carts. Many such plastic frames are packaged unassembledand sent to retailers. Thus, the responsibility for assembly falls oneither the retailer or the consumer. Examples of portable hose cartsconstructed of molded plastic are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,381,981,5,056,553, and 5,007,598.

It is also known in the prior art to construct stackable portable hosecarts that can be shipped and merchandised fully assembled. The sale offully assembled portable hose cart obviates some problems associatedwith unassembled hose carts. For example, stackable hose carts reducethe inventory space occupied by an assembled hose cart. Also, consumersdo not have to assemble a hose cart that is merchandised fullyassembled.

Current portable hose carts include a number of drawbacks. For example,current fully assembled portable hose carts are often bulky and consumesignificant space, notwithstanding the fact that they may be stacked onone another for storage or shipping purposes. This is due in large partto the fact that the frames of such carts tend to be large and are notprovided with the ability to fold and/or collapse. In addition, in manycurrent portable hose carts, the hose tends to tangle easily when woundand/or tends to jump off of the basket assembly around which it is beingwound. Thus, there is room for improvement in the field of portable hosecarts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention relates to a stackable hose reel thatincludes a pair of outer legs connected to a pair of inner legs, whereinthe inner legs are structured to move between a first, open position anda second, closed position. A first connecting member is coupled to andextends between the outer legs. The first connecting member has a firstouter surface having a first shape, such as a arcuate shape. A secondconnecting member is coupled to and extends between the inner legs. Thesecond connecting member has a second outer surface having a secondshape, such an arcuate shape, that is complementary to the first shape.When the inner legs are in the closed position, the second outer surfaceis structured to engage and rest at least partially within an additionalfirst outer surface of an additional stackable hose reel. The additionalfirst outer surface is substantially identical to the first outersurface such that the stackable hose reel may be stacked on top of theadditional stackable hose reel.

The stackable hose reel may also include a basket assembly extendingbetween the inner legs and structured to support a hose. The basketassembly has a first protrusion and a first depression. When thestackable hose reel is stacked on top of an additional stackable hosereel, the first protrusion of the stackable hose reel is structured tobe received in the first depression of the basket assembly of theadditional stackable hose reel and the first protrusion of the basketassembly of the additional stackable hose reel is structured to bereceived in the first depression of the stackable hose reel. Additionalsimilar protrusions and depressions may be provided on the basketassembly to facilitate the stacking.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a stackable hose reel isprovided that includes a main frame, a basket assembly supported by themain frame and structured to support a hose, and a handle extending fromthe main frame. The handle extends in a first direction and has a topportion having a first surface in a first plane and a second surface insecond plane. The first and second planes are substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction. The top portion also has a holeextending from the first surface to the second surface for receiving thehose therethrough to facilitate the winding of the hose on the basketassembly and prevent tangling of the hose during winding. Preferably,the basket assembly is rotatable about a first axis that issubstantially perpendicular to the first direction.

The main frame in this aspect may have a pair of first legs and a pairof second legs connected to the first legs, wherein the handle extendsfrom the first legs. In one particular embodiment, the first legs areouter legs and the second legs are inner legs, and the inner legs arestructured to move between a first, open position and second, closedposition.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a hose reel thatincludes a pair of outer legs and a pair of inner legs that arerotatably connected to the outer legs and structured to move between afirst, open position and a second, closed position. The hose reelfurther includes a basket assembly coupled to the inner legs thatstructured to support a hose. A locking mechanism is provided forselectively preventing the inner legs from being moved from the openposition to the closed position.

In one particular embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a firstportion and a second portion. The first portion has a selectivelydisplaceable tooth and the second portion has a locking ring with anopen position opening. When the inner legs are in the open position, thetooth is received in the open position opening and prevents the innerlegs from being moved from the open position to the closed position. Inorder to move the inner legs to the closed position, the tooth must bedisplaced from the open position opening. The locking mechanism may alsoselectively prevent the inner legs from being moved from the closedposition to the open position. In such a case, the locking ring includesa closed position opening. When the inner legs are in the closedposition, the tooth is received in the closed position opening, whereinthe tooth must be displaced from the closed position opening to move theinner legs to the open position.

In still a further aspect of the invention, a hose reel is provided thatincludes a main frame, a basket assembly supported by the main frame andstructured to support a hose, and a water supply assembly supported bythe basket assembly. The water supply assembly includes a first portion,such as a water inlet portion, having a groove and a second portion,such as a water outlet portion, having one or more radial openings. Thefirst portion is inserted within the second portion such that the one ormore radial openings are aligned with the groove. A clip is inserted atleast partially through the one or more radial openings. The clip isreceived in and engages the groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an improved hose reel according to thepresent invention in a first, open, ready to use position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the hose reel of FIG. 1 in a second,closed position;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are isometric views showing a number of nested hose reelsaccording to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an alternative isometric view of the hose reel of FIG. 1 in asecond, closed position;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing the back brace of the hose reel ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view showing the bottom portion including a trayof the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an oblong flange of the basket assemblyof the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the oblong flange of FIG. 8showing a protrusion and depression used for nesting purposes;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are isometric views of a push button portion of alocking mechanism of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a connection point between and inner andouter leg of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 and 14 are front elevation and isometric views, respectively, ofan outer leg of the hose reel of FIG. 1 including the locking mechanism;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a portion of the locking mechanism of thehose reel of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 16, 19, 20, and 21 are enlarged views and FIG. 16A is a frontelevational view of portions of the basket assembly of the hose reel ofFIG. 1 showing a portion of the water supply;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are front elevational and isometric views, respectively,of the rotatable portion of the water supply of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are side elevational and isometric views, respectively,of the non-rotatable portion of the water supply of the hose reel ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of a portion of an outer leg of the hosereel of FIG. 1 that receives the non-rotatable portion of the watersupply;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are enlarged views of portions of an outer leg of thehose reel of FIG. 1 having the non-rotatable portion of the water supplyinserted therein;

FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view showing the point where the outer andinner leg of the hose reel of FIG. 1 that include the water supplyconnect to one another;

FIGS. 28, 29, and 30 are side elevational, isometric and bottom planviews, respectively, of an alternative water supply;

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of an alternative rotatable portion of thewater supply; and

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of an alternative non-rotatable portion ofthe water supply.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows the improved hose reel 10 in a first, open, ready to useposition (minus the garden hose). The hose reel 10 includes a basketassembly 12 for holding the garden hose (not shown). The basket assembly12 includes opposed oblong flange members 14, 16 which allow for a “lowprofile” when the hose reel 10 is closed (see FIG. 2). The basketassembly 12 includes a hub 18 for winding thereon the garden hose. Acrank assembly 20 is provided including a crank body 22 having a crankslot 24 and a pivotable crank handle 26. It will be appreciated that thecrank handle 26 can be pivoted into the crank slot 24 (see FIG. 2) inorder to further minimize the profile of the hose reel 10 when it isbeing shipped or moved about. A unique water supply 30 (FIG. 16) is alsoprovided. The water supply will be described more fully below. A uniquelocking mechanism 200 (FIG. 14) is also provided. The unique lockingmechanism will also be described below.

The main frame of the hose reel 10 consists of an outer leg (crank side)50, outer leg (water supply) 52, a pivotably mounted inner leg (crankside) 54 and a pivotably mounted inner leg (water side) 56. Each outerleg includes a respective wheel 60, 62 and wheel hub 64, 66 (FIG. 4).These items are all preferably made of plastic. Mounted between theinner legs 54, 56 is a tray 70 and a footrest 72.

Another unique aspect of the hose reel 10 is its ability to beefficiently nested with other like hose reels for shipping. Featuresembedded in the basket assembly 12 allow for easy nesting. The nestingfeatures will be discussed below.

One aspect of the invention is to provide a combination handle/hoseguide 90. The handle/hose guide defines an area 92 through which thegarden hose is directed so that the hose is resisted from “jumping” overthe oblong flanges 14, 16 and getting tangled.

It will be appreciated that the design of the invention provides afairly wide “footprint” when in the open position as is shown in FIG. 1.This will prevent unwanted tipping of the hose reel 10 as well asproviding a stable base when winding and unwinding the hose.

FIG. 2 shows the hose reel 10 in a second, closed position. As can beseen, the inner legs 54, 56 are pivoted inwardly allowing the closedhose reel 10 to lie flat. The oblong flanges 14, 16 are oriented so thattheir longitudinal axes are generally parallel to the longitudinal axisof the closed hose reel 10. The crank handle 26 is pivoted into thecrank slot 24.

It will be appreciated that once the hose reel 10 is in the closedposition, it can be easily wheeled from place to place by merely pullingit by the combination handle/hose guide 90. As opposed to prior artcollapsible hose reels where the handle was collapsed, the handle doesnot need to be forced down to pivot the weight of the hose over thewheels in order to transport the hose reel 10 from place to place.

A still further advantage of the collapsed low-profile hose reel is thatit can be easily stored when not in use. The hose reel 10 can also behung on the wall of a user's garage or shed when being stored. In oneembodiment, the hose reel 10 does not utilize any independent fasteners,such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, or threaded rods. Putanother way, the components of the hose reel 10 are coupled together byintegral fastening structures, such as, but not limited to, snap-fitstructures. In another embodiment, screws may be used to ensure rigidityin the structure. For example, two screws may be used to connect thehandle/hose guide 90 to the outer legs 50 and 52 and two screws may beused to connect the back brace 74 to the outer legs 50 and 52.

Another advantage of the unique “low profile” of the hose reel 10 is inshipping. This, along with the nesting feature, allows more units to beshipped in less space, thus saving shipping costs. FIGS. 3 and 4 showhow several hose reels can be nested on one pallet 96 and thensubsequently tightly packed and shipped in one box 98, with several (inthis case six) boxes being fit on a standard size pallet 96.

The nesting feature generally described above and generally shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 will now be discussed in detail. Referring moreparticularly to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, it will be seen that the hose reel 10includes a back brace 76 (FIGS. 5 and 6) that is mounted transverselybetween legs 50 and 52. The back brace 76 has an arcuate outer surface104 that includes a ledge portion 106 and a scalloped portion 110. Ascan be seen in FIG. 7, the tray 70 includes an arcuate outer surface 120that cooperates with the scalloped portion 110 and is co-extensivetherewith so that when stacked, the arcuate outer surface 120 restspartially in the scalloped portion 110.

Another nesting feature involves the oblong flanges 14 and 16. Referringto FIGS. 8 and 9, flange 14 is shown. It will be appreciated that flange16 (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) has a similar structure. Referring nowparticularly to FIGS. 8 and 9, flange 14 includes a pair of nestingmeans 140, 142, one of which is disposed on one longitudinal portion ofthe flange 14 and the other on an opposed longitudinal portion. Eachnesting means 140, 142 includes respective depressions 150, 160 andrespective protrusions 152, 162. The nesting means 140, 142 of eachflange is arranged such that when two or more hose reels 10 are stackedtogether, the respective flanges nest in each other to not only hold thestack together and to resist having separate hose reels 10 movelaterally relative to each other.

Referring particularly to FIG. 9, it will be seen that depression 150includes an interior ledge 170. It will be appreciated that thisinterior ledge 170, in cooperation with the interior ledge in protrusion152, as well as the interior ledges for depressions in flange 16, willresist side-to-side movement of the hose reels when stacked. Of course,it will be appreciated that front-to-back movement of the stacked andnested hose reels will be resisted by the structure and arrangement ofthe nesting means 140, 142 themselves.

The unique locking mechanism 200 of the invention will now be discussedwith reference to FIGS. 10-15. Because a collapsible hose reel 10 of thedesign of the invention has not been proposed in the art, a uniquelocking mechanism 200 had to be developed which allows for easy openingand folding of the collapsible hose reel 10.

The locking mechanism 200 includes a button portion 202 which extendsoutwardly from outer leg 50 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In general, when theconsumer desires to move the collapsible hose reel 10 from the openposition, shown in FIG. 1, to the folded and closed position, shown inFIG. 2, all the user needs to do is push inwardly button 202 which, aswill be discussed in detail below, unlocks the outer leg 50 from innerleg 54, thus allowing inner leg 54 to rotate into the folded position.It will be appreciated that legs 52 and 56 are not locked to each other,but are freely rotatable so that when legs 50 and 54 are unlocked, legs52 and 56 can rotate with them either into the folded position.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 10 to 15, the details of the lockingmechanism will be discussed. The locking mechanism 200 itself is shownin two views in FIGS. 10 and 11. The locking mechanism 200 is generallycircular and includes a push button portion 210 including push button202 which is exposed to the consumer and two shoulder portions 212, 214.The two shoulder portions 212, 214 are structured to provide stiffnessto the push button portion 210 so that the push button portion 210flexes at tabs 240, 242 (described below). The locking mechanism 200includes an outer circular portion 218 and an inner circular portion 220(FIG. 10) joined by a flat perpendicular surface 222 (FIG. 11). Atrapezoidal portion 228, structured to act as a tooth to interact with alocking ring, is formed in the inner circular portion 220. This portion228 includes a first short sidewall 230, a pilot surface sidewall 232and a second long sidewall 234. The locking mechanism 200 also includestab members 240 and 242 which are diametrically opposed and which extendgenerally radially from the outer circular portion 218. Finally, guidepins 244, 246 and 248 are provided extending from flat perpendicularsurface 222. These guide pins facilitate placement of the lockingmechanism 200 into the outer leg 50 as will be explained below.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 15, a close-up view of the inner leg 54and outer leg 50 in the open position (see FIG. 1) is shown with viewspartially cutaway to show the locking mechanism 200 and its positioning.It will be appreciated that the push button 202 extends through anopening 250 in the outer leg 50 and tabs 240 and 242 rest in openings260 and 262 in the outer legs 50. The trapezoidal portion 228, when thehose reel 10 is an open position, is disposed in slot 266 in a lockingring portion 268 of the inner leg 54 that seats in a groove 270 in theouter leg (FIG. 14). The locking ring portion 268 also includes a closedposition slot 276, whose purpose will be discussed below.

Referring particularly to FIG. 14, when the hose reel 10 is in its openposition (FIG. 1) the inner leg 54 is locked into the outer leg 50 bymeans of the trapezoidal portion 228, which is mounted into the outerleg 50, engaging into slot 266 of the locking ring portion 268. In orderto unlock the inner leg 54 from the outer leg 50 and thus be able torotate the inner leg 54 relative to the outer leg 50, a user merelypresses down on button 202 in the direction of arrow P. This forces tabs240 and 242 to bend in a spring-like manner (tabs 240 and 242 areresilient) and also further causes trapezoidal portion 228 to becomedisengaged from slot 266 which allows rotation of inner leg 54 relativeto outer leg 50. Specifically, second long sidewall 234 upon slightrotation of the inner leg 54, clears sidewall 278 of slot 266 which nowallows rotation of the inner leg 54 relative to outer leg 50.

The push button is then released, and the pilot surface sidewall 232trapezoidal portion 228 bears against sidewall 278, which, because ofits sloped surface, permits rotation of the inner leg 54 relative toouter leg 50. It will be appreciated that the push button 202 will be ina semi-engaged position while the leading edge 280 of the trapezoidalportion 228 bears against the outer surface 284 of inner leg portion268.

The inner leg 54 can continue rotating until the trapezoidal portion 228engages into the folded portion slot 276. At this point the lockingmechanism 200 and the push button 202 will move from its semi-engagedposition to its fully extended position (see FIG. 14). It will beappreciated that slot 276 is not necessary, but is preferred in thatwhen the hose reel 10 is in its closed position, pressure and tension isthen taken off of the tabs 240, 242, keeping them more resilient andless subject to bending fatigue, as they will not be bent when engagedin openings 260 and 262. The button 202 does not have to be pushed whenmoving the inner legs from the second, closed position to the first,open position. That is, the trapezoidal portion 228 is structured to actsimilar to a pawl tooth in that the pilot surface sidewall 232 does notprovide an edge for the closed position slot 276 to engage. Thus, thetrapezoidal portion 228 does not need to be displaced relative to thelocking ring portion 268.

With reference to FIGS. 16 to 28, the unique water supply 30 of theinvention will now be discussed. Prior art water supply systems for hosereels included a reel mounted portion that was disposed at an acuteangle and which extended above the surface of the reel. This prior artarrangement had several shortcomings. First, because of the awkwardacute angle of the reel mounted portion, users, when connecting thegarden hose to the portion, would often cross-thread the threaded reelmounted portion. This cross-threading would lead to leaks at theconnection point. Another shortcoming of the prior art water supply wasthat because of the acute angle, when winding the hose, it was notinitially against the reel, thus causing a space between the hose andthe reel which lessened capacity and which also made for awkwardwinding.

Referring particularly to FIG. 16, it will be seen that the exposedthreaded end 300 of the rotatable portion of the water supply 302 isarranged so that a garden hose can be easily and efficiently screwedonto the threaded end 300, thus resisting the possibility ofcross-threading, as was prevalent with prior art systems. Screwing on ofthe garden hose is facilitated by providing an indented portion 304 inthe reel hub half portion 306. It will be further appreciated that thispositioning of the threaded end allows the garden hose to start restingagainst the surface 308 of the reel hub half portion 306 almostimmediately, so as to facilitate easy, even and efficient winding of thegarden hose without kinking.

Referring now to FIG. 16A, it can be seen that the rotatable portion 302is sandwiched between reel hub half portion 306 and reel hub halfportion 307. Reel hub half portion 307 includes an arcuate tunnelportion which allows for mounting of the rotatable portion 302.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the rotatable portion 302 by itself. The rotatableportion 302 includes the aforementioned threaded end 300, as well as anelbow portion 310, a vertical portion 312, a horizontal portion 314 anda sealing portion 316, including a sealing cap 318. Disposed on thehorizontal portion are two offset tabs 320, 322. Wings 326 and 328 arealso provided which join the horizontal portion 314 to the verticalportion 312. The tabs 320 and 322 each have a pair of gusset ribs, suchas ribs 334 and 336.

Referring to FIG. 19, the rotatable portion 302 is shown in its mountedposition. It will be appreciated that when the other reel hub halfportion 307 (see FIG. 16) is snapped onto the flange 14 and reel hubhalf portion 306, that the rotatable portion 302 will be securelyattached to the hose reel 10. As can be seen in FIG. 20, the wings 326,328 engage into a slot 332 in order to stabilize the rotatable portion302.

Referring now to FIG. 21, the method of inserting the rotatable portion302 into flange 14 without the use of fasteners will be described.Before attaching reel hub half portions 306 and 307 to the rotatableportion 302, the horizontal portion 314 is inserted into a hole (notseen in FIG. 21, but partially observable in FIG. 8) by means ofaligning the tabs 320 and 322 with tab openings 340 and 342, and thenrotating the rotatable portion 302 ninety degrees to the position shownin FIG. 21 so that the tabs 320, 322 (only tab 320 shown in FIG. 21)bear against the outer surface 344 of flange 14.

Thus, as described above with respect to FIGS. 19-21, the rotatableportion 302 is securely and advantageously positioned on the hub 18.

As is known, a non-rotatable portion must be connected to the rotatableportion 302 in order to deliver water thereto. Referring to FIGS. 22 and23, the non-rotatable portion 360 of the invention is shown by itself.Non-rotatable portion 360 includes a hollow cylindrical section 362including two O-ring grooves 364, 366. Connected to the hollowcylindrical section 362 is a generally circular retaining flange 370that includes oppositely disposed retaining snaps 372 and 374 whosefunction will be discussed below. Finally, the non-rotatable portion 360has a threaded end 376 for use in attaching a garden hose thereto.

In a preferred embodiment of the water supply 30 shown in FIGS. 29 and30, the rotatable portion 302A and the non-rotatable portion 360A aresecured to each other with a hairpin clip 303A As shown in FIG. 31,generally, the alternative rotatable portion 302A includes the sameelements described above, including the aforementioned threaded end300A, an elbow portion 310A, a vertical portion 312A, a horizontalportion 314A and a sealing portion 316 which is structured to engage asealing cap(not shown). Disposed on the horizontal portion are twooffset tabs 320A, 322A. Wings 326A, 328A (FIG. 30) are also providedwhich join the horizontal portion 314A to the vertical portion 312A. Thetabs 320 and 322 each have a pair of gusset ribs, such as ribs 334A and336A. The alternative rotatable portion 302A further includes a pair ofopposed radial openings 321A, 323A that extend substantially, but notentirely, about the horizontal portion 314A.

Referring to FIG. 32, the non-rotatable portion 360A of the invention isshown by itself. Non-rotatable portion 360A includes a hollowcylindrical section 362A including two O-ring grooves 364A, 366A.Connected to the hollow cylindrical section 362A is a generally circularretaining flange 370A that includes oppositely disposed retaining snaps372A and 374A whose function will be discussed below. The non-rotatableportion 360A has a threaded end 376A for use in attaching a garden hosethereto. The alternative non-rotatable portion 360A further includes ahairpin clip groove 365A disposed between the two O-ring grooves 364A,366A. As is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the hairpin clip groove 365A isstructured to engage the hairpin clip 303A when the non-rotatableportion 360A is inserted into the rotatable portion 302A and a hairpinclip 303A is installed at the radial openings 321A, 323A.

Referring to FIGS. 24 to 28, the horizontal cylindrical section isinserted through an opening 380 in outer leg 52. Pre-existing snaps 381,382, 383, 384 are used to snap together the outer leg 52 and the innerleg 56 (not shown). In order to form these snaps 381-384 during theinjection molding process, respective draft slots 385, 386, 387 and 388must be provided. This invention makes use of, and takes advantage ofthese draft holes as can be seen in FIG. 25. More particularly, snaps372 and 374 of the non-rotatable portion 360 are sized and arranged tobe inserted through the draft holes 385 and 387, and then snapped ontointegral and oppositely disposed ledges 390 and 392 as can be seen inFIG. 25.

As can be seen in FIGS. 25, 26 and 27, the outer surface 394 of leg 52includes an indented portion 395, and ledges 390, 392 also include anindented portion 396, 397. This allows a user to place a screwdriver, orthe like through the ledges 390, 392 to obtain access to the snaps 372,374 in order to release them and remove the non-rotatable portion 360from the rotatable portion 302 in order to replace the non-rotatableportion 360 with a new one, or to service the O-rings (see FIG. 28).

FIG. 28 shows how the cylindrical section 362 is interference fit intothe horizontal portion 314 of the rotatable portion 302.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given thefull breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A stackable hose reel, comprising: a pair of outer legs; a pair ofinner legs, said inner legs being connected to said outer legs andstructured to move between a first, open position and a second, closedposition; a first connecting member coupled to and extending betweensaid outer legs, said first connecting member having a first outersurface having a first shape; and a second connecting member coupled toand extending between said inner legs, said second connecting memberhaving a second outer surface having a second shape, said first shapebeing complementary to said second shape; wherein when said inner legsare in said closed position, said second outer surface is structured toengage at least partially within an additional first outer surface of anadditional stackable hose reel, said additional first outer surfacebeing substantially identical to said first outer surface, such thatsaid stackable hose reel may be stacked on top of said additionalstackable hose reel.
 2. The stackable hose reel according to claim 1,wherein said first shape and said second shape are each an arcuateshape.
 3. The stackable hose reel according to claim 2, wherein saidfirst outer surface includes a ledge portion and a scalloped portion. 4.The stackable hose reel according to claim 1, further comprising abasket assembly structured to support a hose, said basket assemblyextending between said inner legs, said basket assembly having a firstprotrusion and a first depression, wherein said first protrusion isstructured to be received in an additional first depression of anadditional basket assembly of said additional stackable hose reel andwherein an additional first protrusion of said additional basketassembly of said additional stackable hose reel is structured to bereceived in said first depression when said stackable hose reel isstacked on top of said additional stackable hose reel.
 5. The stackablehose reel according to claim 4, wherein said basket assembly has asecond protrusion and a second depression, wherein said secondprotrusion is structured to be received in an additional seconddepression of said additional basket assembly of said additionalstackable hose reel and wherein an additional second protrusion of saidadditional basket assembly of said additional stackable hose reel isstructured to be received in said second depression when said stackablehose reel is stacked on top of said additional stackable hose reel. 6.The stackable hose reel according to claim 4, wherein said basketassembly has an oblong flange, said first protrusion and said firstdepression being located on said oblong flange, and wherein saidadditional basket assembly has an additional oblong flange, saidadditional first protrusion and said additional first depression beinglocated on said additional oblong flange.
 7. The stackable hose reelaccording to claim 5, wherein said basket assembly has first and secondoblong flanges located on opposite ends of said basket assembly, saidfirst protrusion and said first depression being located on said firstoblong flange and said second protrusion and said second depressionbeing located on said second oblong flange, and wherein said additionalbasket assembly has additional first and second oblong flanges locatedon opposite ends of said additional basket assembly, said additionalfirst protrusion and said additional first depression being located onsaid additional first oblong flange and said additional secondprotrusion and said additional second depression being located on saidadditional second oblong flange.
 8. The stackable hose reel according toclaim 4, wherein said first depression includes a first interior ledgefor engaging said additional first protrusion and said additional firstdepression includes an additional first interior ledge for engaging saidfirst protrusion to resist relative side to side movement of saidstackable hose reel and said additional stackable hose reel when saidstackable hose reel is stacked on top of said additional stackable hosereel.
 9. The stackable hose reel according to claim 5, wherein saidfirst depression includes a first interior ledge for engaging saidadditional first protrusion, said additional first depression includesan additional first interior ledge for engaging said first protrusion,said second depression includes a second interior ledge for engagingsaid additional second protrusion, and said additional second depressionincludes an additional second interior ledge for engaging said secondprotrusion to resist relative side to side movement of said stackablehose reel and said additional stackable hose reel when said stackablehose reel is stacked on top of said additional stackable hose reel. 10.A stackable hose reel, comprising: a pair of outer legs; a pair of innerlegs, said inner legs connected to said outer legs and structured tomove between a first, open position and a second, closed position; and abasket assembly structured to support a hose, said basket assemblyextending between said inner legs, said basket assembly having a firstprotrusion and a first depression, wherein said first protrusion isstructured to be received in an additional first depression of anadditional basket assembly of an additional stackable hose reel andwherein an additional first protrusion of said additional basketassembly of said additional stackable hose reel is structured to bereceived in said first depression when said inner legs are in saidclosed position and when said stackable hose reel is stacked on top ofsaid additional stackable hose reel.
 11. The stackable hose reelaccording to claim 10, wherein said basket assembly has a secondprotrusion and a second depression, wherein said second protrusion isstructured to be received in an additional second depression of saidadditional basket assembly of said additional stackable hose reel andwherein an additional second protrusion of said additional basketassembly of said additional stackable hose reel is structured to bereceived in said second depression when said stackable hose reel isstacked on top of said additional stackable hose reel.
 12. The stackablehose reel according to claim 10, wherein said basket assembly has anoblong flange, said first protrusion and said first depression beinglocated on said oblong flange, and wherein said additional basketassembly has an additional oblong flange, said additional firstprotrusion and said additional first depression being located on saidadditional oblong flange.
 13. The stackable hose reel according to claim11, wherein said basket assembly has first and second oblong flangeslocated on opposite ends of said basket assembly, said first protrusionand said first depression being located on said first oblong flange andsaid second protrusion and said second depression being located on saidsecond oblong flange, and wherein said additional basket assembly hasadditional first and second oblong flanges located on opposite ends ofsaid additional basket assembly, said additional first protrusion andsaid additional first depression being located on said additional firstoblong flange and said additional second protrusion and said additionalsecond depression being located on said additional second oblong flange.14. The stackable hose reel according to claim 10, wherein said firstdepression includes a first interior ledge for engaging said additionalfirst protrusion and said additional first depression includes anadditional first interior ledge for engaging said first protrusion toresist relative side to side movement of said stackable hose reel andsaid additional stackable hose reel when said stackable hose reel isstacked on top of said additional stackable hose reel.
 15. The stackablehose reel according to claim 11, wherein said first depression includesa first interior ledge for engaging said additional first protrusion,said additional first depression includes an additional first interiorledge for engaging said first protrusion, said second depressionincludes a second interior ledge for engaging said additional secondprotrusion, and said additional second depression includes an additionalsecond interior ledge for engaging said second protrusion to resistrelative side to side movement of said stackable hose reel and saidadditional stackable hose reel when said stackable hose reel is stackedon top of said additional stackable hose reel.
 16. A hose reel,comprising: a main frame; a basket assembly supported by said main frameand structured to support a hose; a handle extending from said mainframe in a first direction, said handle having a top portion having afirst surface in a first plane and a second surface in second plane,said first and second planes being substantially perpendicular to saidfirst direction, said top portion having a hole extending from saidfirst surface to said second surface for receiving said hosetherethrough.
 17. The hose reel according to claim 16, wherein said mainframe has a pair of first legs and a pair of second legs, said firstlegs being connected to said second legs.
 18. The hose reel according toclaim 17, wherein said handle extends from said first legs.
 19. The hosereel according to claim 18, wherein first legs are outer legs and saidsecond legs are inner legs, and wherein said inner legs are structuredto move between a first, open position and second, closed position. 20.The hose reel according to claim 16, wherein said basket assembly isrotatable about a first axis, and wherein said first direction issubstantially perpendicular to said first axis.
 21. A hose reel,comprising: a pair of outer legs; a pair of inner legs, said inner legsbeing rotatably connected to said outer legs and structured to movebetween a first, open position and a second, closed position; a basketassembly structured to support a hose, said basket assembly beingcoupled to said inner legs; and a locking mechanism for selectivelypreventing said inner legs from being moved from said open position tosaid closed position.
 22. The hose reel according to claim 21, whereinsaid locking mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion,said first portion having a selectively displaceable tooth, said secondportion having a locking ring with an open position opening, whereinwhen said inner legs are in said open position, said tooth is receivedin said open position opening and prevents said inner legs from beingmoved from said open position to said closed position, and wherein saidtooth must be displaced from said open position opening to move saidinner legs to said closed position.
 23. The hose reel according to claim22, wherein said locking mechanism also selectively prevents said innerlegs from being moved from said closed position to said open position,wherein said locking ring includes a closed position opening, whereinwhen said inner legs are in said closed position, said tooth is receivedin said closed position opening, and wherein said tooth must bedisplaced from said closed position opening to move said inner legs tosaid open position.
 24. The hose reel according to claim 22, whereinsaid second portion comprises a generally circular frame received in oneof said outer legs, said tooth being located on an interior of saidgenerally circular frame, said generally circular frame beingselectively displaceable within said one of said outer legs.
 25. Thehose reel according to claim 24, wherein said generally circular frameincludes first and second tabs received in first and second openings,respectively, provided in said one of said outer legs, wherein apressure applied to said generally circular frame causes said first andsecond tabs to bend, thereby enabling said generally circular frame tobe displaced within said one of said outer legs.
 26. The hose reelaccording to claim 24, wherein said generally circular frame includes abutton portion that extends out of said one of said outer legs, andwherein said pressure may be applied to said button portion.
 27. A hosereel, comprising: a main frame; a basket assembly supported by said mainframe and structured to support a hose; a water supply assemblysupported by said basket assembly, said water supply assembly includinga first portion having a groove, a second portion having one or moreradial openings, said first portion being inserted within said secondportion such that said one or more radial openings are aligned with saidgroove, and a clip inserted at least partially through said one or moreradial openings, said clip being received in and engaging said groove.28. The hose reel according to claim 27, wherein said first portion is awater inlet portion and said second portion is a water outlet portion.29. The hose reel according to claim 27, wherein said clip is a hairpinclip and said one or more openings include first and second radialopenings.